Comparison

Start Rowing vs Echelon Worlds

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Start Rowing

This app provides structured rowing machine training plans for all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. It guides users through workouts with audio cues and a metronome, helping them build strength, burn calories, and improve rowing technique. Track progress and integrate with Apple Health for a comprehensive fitness journey.

Highlights
  • Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training plans
  • Audio coach guidance
  • Rowing metronome
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Session-based Challenger workouts
Features
Read full description

Start Rowing without any previous experience needed. Get in shape, build strength and burn calories. Our rowing app's workout plans will train you for the next stage in your rowing journey. Never rowed before? Start with our beginner plan. In 8 weeks you’ll be comfortable rowing 2000 meters with correct technique. Experienced erger? Use our intermediate and advanced plans to improve your overall fitness while increasing your rowing capacity. Start Rowing will guide you step by step, letting you know when to change rowing intensity and when to rest. Each plan is designed to slowly become more challenging so your body can adapt and gain endurance while minimising any risk of injury. Spend just 10-30 minutes a day, 2-5 days a week. You’ll be fitter, stronger and a much better rower! Features - Choose from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans. - Session based Challenger workouts to exercise your whole body. - Audio coach to guide your through your rowing workout. - Rowing metronome to help you keep in time. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - Share your progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Rowing subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.

About

Echelon Worlds

Experience virtual racing on connected fitness equipment. Explore diverse worlds, compete with others, and enjoy terrain-based resistance adjustments. Available for cycling, running, and rowing.

Highlights
  • Virtual racing experience
  • 3 unique virtual worlds
  • Multiplayer and ghost racing
  • Auto-adjusting resistance
  • Supports connected equipment
Features
Read full description

Work up a sweat in this new virtual racing experience - now available on your favorite connected equipment! • Explore 3 different virtual worlds with unique landscapes, terrain and scenery. • Compete with your friends, against the computer or your own ghost. • Auto-adjusting resistance based on the terrain and elevation*. • Available for Ride, Run or Row

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
Echelon Worlds3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Rowing at 73% against Echelon Worlds's 0%. Start Rowing also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (681 vs 1). Echelon Worlds's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Echelon Worlds asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 681 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Start Rowing's written reviews are positive against 0% of Echelon Worlds's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Echelon Worlds every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and August 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Start Rowing versus Echelon Worlds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingEchelon Worlds
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (681 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings681 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.611.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB751 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdViatek Consumer Products Group, Inc.

Customer experience

Start Rowing

All ratings681 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.5%

Echelon Worlds

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

Start Rowing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen during workouts
  • Inconsistent stroke rate changes
  • Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow custom workout creation
  • Improve volume control for metronome and audio
  • Add more advanced workout options
  • Enhance user interface and navigation
  • Improve sync and data tracking across devices

Echelon Worlds

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Start Rowing

Subscriptions6
  • Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$179.99
None

Echelon Worlds

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Echelon Worlds free?
Echelon Worlds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Echelon Worlds?
Start Rowing is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 681 ratings, while Echelon Worlds averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Start Rowing or Echelon Worlds have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor Echelon Worlds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Echelon Worlds?
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Echelon Worlds every 2 months. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on September 11, 2026 and Echelon Worlds on August 18, 2026.

Other comparisons